Category Archives: Europe

No Homeless Birds!

by Amy Posted on 1 March 2006

This week is the Week of the Nestbox in the Netherlands. Bird protection group Vogelbescherming Nederland calls on everyone to hang birdhouses on their property in time for the breeding season, and to take note of nesting activity on their property. The group wants to make gardens and parks more attractive for bird nests while at the same time to get more people interested in birds and their protection.

In the Netherlands today, is fashionable to have a completely paved garden. More often wood fences are used to delineate property, replacing the hedges of yore. These changes have a negative impact on the songbirds that would typically nest in the hedges and search for food on grassy lawns.

Vogelbescherming also sponsors a nest-bird count. Via the website www.weekvandenestkast.nl participants can record the breeding activity in the nests.

source: Alle vogels onder dak

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Birding At Starrevaart

by Amy Posted on 28 February 2006

Last weekend we visited a small lake between the Hague and Leiden, called Starrevaart. The area is set aside for birds and is a popular spot for both migratory and resident waterfowl and waders.

The Province Zuid-Holland maintains the area, which is 30 hectares water and 30 hectares reeds. The water has a maximum depth of 2 meters.

There is a path around the water, which was quite muddy when we were there on Saturday.

Path around bird lake Starrevaart, the Netherlands
On the walking path

Along the path there are some signs which give details on some of the birds you can find there. This one gives information on the marsh harrier, bruine kiekendief in Dutch.

Placard at Starrevaart

There is a bird hide on the east side of the water.

Bird hide at Starrevaart

View of Starrevaart from the bird hide
View over the water from the hide

We watched the activity on the water for about 30 minutes. Here are some of the birds we saw.

(Eurasian) Wigeon, Mareca penelope
(Eurasian) Wigeon [Smient] Mareca penelope

Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Great Crested Grebe [Fuut] Podiceps cristatus

Tufted Duck, Athya fuligula
Tufted Duck [Kuifeend] Athya fuligula

To the northeast of the water there is an outlook tower.

Tower at Starrevaart

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New Bird Island For Netherlands

by Amy Posted on 27 February 2006

In the natural area “Wagejot”, by the West Frisian Island Texel, a new bird island has been established. The long island was created with mud silt. The Dutch park service Natuurmonumenten hopes that the island will be used as breeding ground by wading birds.

On Thursday February 24, contractors used heavy equipment to complete the construction of the island with a layer of shells. Natuurmonumenten hopes that bird species such as the common tern, avocet, and the ringed plover will make a home there. The group also hopes the sandwich tern will come to the island. In a nearby natural area a group of sandwich terns has been breeding for the last two years.

Source: NIEUW VOGELEILAND OP TEXEL

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Golden Egg Action Tries To Stop Egg Thievery

by Amy Posted on 27 February 2006

The Dutch radio program Vroege Vogels (“Early Birds”) announced a competition this weekend which will award the finder of the first Northern Lapwing egg in Friesland this year: The Golden Egg.

It is a tradition in the Dutch province Friesland to steal eggs from the Northern Lapwing. In earlier times the tradition was that the first egg should be brought to the queen. Queen Juliana stopped this practice in 1970, but the tradition to steal the eggs continued.

Since last year, stealing the eggs is illegal under EU regulations. However, some towns in Friesland have applied for and received exceptions to the law. In the month of March citizens may take up to 15 eggs per person. Friesland is the only area in Europe where the practice is allowed. Each year the case between the traditionalists and nature & animal protection groups goes to court.

The action from Vroege Vogels rewards the finder of the first egg – but the egg must remain in the nest. The finder of the egg will be rewarded as long as the parent bird also remains by the nest. The prize is a 14k gold broche. They hope to promote the cause of animal protection by rewarding those who would not steal eggs.

Source: Gouden kievitseitje

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Posted in Law, Netherlands | Leave a comment

18 Dead Pigeons Found In Antwerp

by Amy Posted on 27 February 2006

In Antwerp, Belgium on Sunday 18 dead pigeons were found. According to the Belgian agency for the security of the food chain (FAVV), the birds were not infected with the H5N1 virus.

The H5N1 virus does not occur in pigeons. The cause of death has not been determined.

The birds were found under a bridge on the Boomssesteenweg (street). The authorities were informed and the dead birds will be picked up on Monday, according to the Antwerp police.

Source: 18 dode duiven in Antwerpen: “Geen vogelgriep”

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Pigeon Fancier Driven From New Home

by Amy Posted on 26 February 2006

A British family who moved to the south of England is leaving their new home after months of harassment from neighbors over their pigeons. The family of six moved to Hampshire to be closer to a championship pigeon racing competition but neighbors who didn’t fancy the pigeons tried to scare the birds away. Read Anna Burdett’s story PIGEON FANCIER IS FORCED OUT in the News and Star.

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Pet Chickens Tossed Into Petting Zoos, Farms

by Amy Posted on 22 February 2006

Dutch bird hobbyists, who keep chickens, geese and ducks as pets, are giving their birds to local petting zoos and children’s farms out of fear of bird flu. Many pet owners do not have the resources to shelter their birds indoors, as is required by law in Holland from last Monday.

At farms and petting zoos in cities like the Hague, Apeldoorn and Leideschendam, the pet birds have been tossed into the yard by their owners.

Jan Wolleswinkel, president of the Dutch Organization for Poultry Farmers (NOP), warns that birds which have been vaccinated against the bird flu may still be culled in case the virus breaks out in their neighborhood.

Source: Hobbypluimvee naar kinderboerderij

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